Description: "Harriet Tubman was always a keen observer. She learned to use the North Star for a compass, to tell time by the stars, and to find her way by natural signs as well as any hunter could. She could navigate dense forests, locate waterways in the area, and identify the white Quakers and black mariners who were willing to help enslaved people escape. When Tubman first fled north, she knew she might never have another chance to run away. Yet after she arrived safely in the free city of Philadelphia, she risked her own freedom again and again to help other Freedom Seekers--and those she'd had to leave behind. She never forgot her family in Maryland, and on Christmas Day, 1854, Tubman returned again, hoping to give three of her brothers the best possible gift--the gift of freedom! This historical picture book about the legendary Underground Railroad conductor, abolitionist, and suffragist was written based on personal interviews with Tubman's last surviving relative. A story of courage, hope, and family, The Gift of Freedom takes readers on an inspiring journey during one of America's darkest times. Includes a letter to readers, an author's note, and a bibliography"--
Brief description:
Glennette Tilley Turner has written many children's books, including Fort Mose, An Apple for Harriet Tubman, and Running for Our Lives. She has also written collections of biographies of notable African Americans for adults, and she serves as an advisor to the National Park Service, where she helps plan programs for the national historic Underground Railroad trail. Turner has a master's degree in history and children's literature; has spoken at ALA, NCTE, BCALA, and the Library of Congress; has presented at Illinois library, historical, and reading organizations; and taught in the Chicago Public School system for many years. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her writing and was inducted into International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent at the Gwendolyn Brooks Center of Chicago State University. She lives in Wheaton, Illinois.
Review Quotes:
***STARRED REVIEW***
"In this intriguing book, Turner provides enough historical context to help younger children understand the importance of Tubman's gift to her brothers and enough details to hold the interest of older readers. Created using dark, rich colors, Freeman's stunning night scenes, sometimes lit by a single lantern, capture the drama of this well-told, memorable story."
--Booklist